Man faces manslaughter, other charges

TURNER – A Livermore man was indicted Tuesday two years after he was involved in a Route 4 crash that claimed the life of a 60-year-old Auburn man.

John Rogers Mincher Jr., 54, was indicted by the Androscoggin County grand jury on charges of manslaughter, leaving the scene of a crash, driving with a suspended license, criminal driving while intoxicated and driving without a license.

The indictment shows Mincher’s last known address as 501 Canton Road in Livermore but lists his whereabouts as unknown. A warrant for his arrest was issued Tuesday afternoon, just after the grand jury delivered its indictments.

Mincher is charged in the April 30, 2004, death of Carl V. Thomas, who was killed when his pickup truck was struck head-on by another truck driven by Mincher. Police said Mincher ran into the woods after the crash in an attempt to avoid discovery.

Police said the drivers were traveling in opposite directions on Route 4 when Mincher’s Ford Ranger drifted across the center line and into oncoming traffic. Thomas was killed instantly in the 6:45 a.m. wreck just south of the Route 117 intersection, according to police reports.

Mincher was also hurt and admitted to St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center in Lewiston. He survived his injuries but was not charged until an investigation by the Androscoggin County Sheriff’s Department led to this week’s indictment.

A third driver swerved to avoid the collision and sideswiped Thomas’ truck but was not hurt, police said at the time.

In the manslaughter charge, Mincher is accused of acting with criminal negligence that led to Thomas’ death.

At the time of the crash, Thomas’ license was under suspension for the fourth time in 10 years. Police said he was also driving drunk and that he had a prior conviction for driving while intoxicated.

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